Chronic care model implementation in the California State Prison System

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Correctional Healthcare
• Quality Improvement Science

Background:

• The chronic care model (CCM) and learning collaborative strategies, like the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Breakthrough Series (BTS), are established methods for enhancing healthcare quality.
• These approaches have been successfully applied in various settings but not previously in correctional healthcare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of the CCM using a learning collaborative strategy within the California prison system.
• To identify barriers encountered during the adoption of this novel approach in correctional healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Adoption of the CCM within the California correctional system under federal receivership.
• Utilizing a learning collaborative strategy, adapted from the BTS model.
• Conducting a pilot study to assess the initial phase of implementation.

Main Results:

• The initial phase of the pilot study yielded positive outcomes.
• Benefit/cost analysis indicated financial viability for the program.
• Results suggest political feasibility for continued implementation.

Conclusions:

• The integration of the CCM with a learning collaborative strategy represents a new frontier in correctional healthcare.
• The pilot study demonstrates the potential financial and political viability of this approach in a prison setting.
• Further continuation of the program is supported by initial findings.